Plumber · Salary Comparison · 2026
Plumber Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Plumbers in San Francisco, CA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$88,000 vs $70,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$47,312 vs $56,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$39,651 vs $52,161
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $88,000▲ | $70,000 | +$18,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $67,760▲ | $53,900 | +$13,860 |
| 75th Percentile | $112,640▲ | $89,600 | +$23,040 |
| 90th Percentile | $140,800▲ | $112,000 | +$28,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 124 | +62 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $47,312 | $56,452▲ | -$9,140 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $73,750▲ | $64,680 | +$9,070 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $39,651 | $52,161▲ | -$12,510 |
| Total Employment | 78,000 | 57,000 | +21,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $18,000 more (median: $88,000 vs $70,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($47,312 vs $56,452 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.